On Wednesday 13 December, MEPs and Council of the EU representatives informally agreed on the modalities for a new European framework for the transparency of qualifications and skills (Europass). Contrary to the Commission proposal, the text no longer makes the European classification tool for skills, competences, certifications and professions (ESCO) the reference tool in this area.
The Europass instrument was created in 2005 and comprises a whole range of tools and services that contribute to the transparency of competencies and justification throughout the European Union. A draft decision presented on 4 October 2016 aims to update and improve this instrument so that it correspond more effectively to current requirements (EUROPE 11638).
At the end of the negotiations, co-rapporteur Thomas Mann (EPP, Germany), said, “In the framework of these negotiations, we decided to revise Europass substantially. New tools are foreseen: the creation of an e-portfolio and skills assessment, information on learning opportunities, qualifications, recognition of qualifications and data on the labour market.”
Clarification on governance
The main changes introduced by the co-legislators focus on the governance of this instrument. They clarify the responsibility incumbent on all the different parties, including the responsibilities relating to the provision of data (updating, ownership and data protection). With regard to EU level governance, the co-legislators agreed to set up an advisory Europass group consisting of representatives from the member states and the stakeholders involved. This group will be in charge of developing a strategic approach focusing on the implementation and future development of Europass and providing advice on the development of online tools. On the question of national level governance, the co-legislators substituted the Commission idea of putting in place one stop shops (benefiting from Union funding) by “arrangements" decided by the member states themselves.
The co-legislators also rejected the Commission proposal to make the European classification tool for skills, competencies, certification and professions, the common reference tool for the exchange of information and documentation on the professions, skills and certification or for the research and comparison of e-documents. The negotiators were effectively of the opinion that this instrument is currently being developed and is not yet ready to be integrated into the Europass framework. The tool was therefore removed from the articles, although it is still quoted in the clauses. Finally, the different parties added a reference to the European Qualifications Framework (EQF), indicating that the Europass should not change the voluntary nature of cooperation within the framework of European qualifications.
The informal agreement still needs to be approved by Parliament's employment and culture committees, as well as the Committee of Permanent Representatives to the EU (COREPER) and then by the Council as a whole and Parliament, before it can enter into force. (Original version in French by Sophie Petitjean)